In this timely and revealing handbook, two of the foremost experts on obesity provide an up-to-date, scientifically accurate, yet accessible study of our current understanding of the causes, consequences, and most effective responses to this persistent health threat.Obesity: A Reference Handbook helps readers unravel the connections between obesity, genetics, and the environmental and behavioral factors that might exacerbate the condition. It brings together the latest findings from a wide range of recent studies, including those aimed at defining obesity, analyzing diets, and evaluating medication and surgical treatments. The handbook also explores the economic and social ramifications of obesity, covering issues such as weight discrimination and the complex question of how to determine responsibility for prevention and treatment. Readers will also encounter the researchers, businesses, activists, and government agencies working to alleviate obesity in the United States and worldwide.